Preliminary hearing in embezzlement case for Carson City businessman set for December

A preliminary hearing into embezzlement charges against longtime Carson businessman Lenny Chappell is set for Dec. 4.

Chappell is accused of taking more than $3,500 from the account belonging to Platinum Plus at Bank of the West and putting the money in the Downtown Business Association’s account.

Chappell is the former president of the association and worked at Platinum Plus Day Spa. Deputy Sheriff Doug Speegle said Chappell is accused of taking money from the association account and, when they discovered that, he is accused of trying to make restitution with money taken from the spa business.

He was arrested in May but the court proceedings have been on hold for a variety of reasons. The most recent court date, Oct. 12, was put off because a key witness in the case was unavailable.

Chappell is free on $20,000 bail pending resolution of the embezzlement and theft charges, each of which carries a potential 10 year prison sentence.

The case is being handled by Douglas County since Carson City District Attorney Jason Woodbury represented Platinum Plus before his election and declared a conflict.